RCO Cinema launches with premiere of The Great Toccata

A new film streaming service from the Royal College of Organists – RCO Cinema – has launched with the premiere of an exceptional new documentary about J. S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565.

RCO Cinema is a partnership between the RCO and film-maker Fugue State Films, designed to make high-quality films about the organ and its music available to the widest possible audience around the world.

The service launches with the premiere of The Great Toccata, a major new Fugue State Films documentary about what is arguably the most iconic piece of organ music ever composed.

Presented by organist Daniel Moult, this 100-minute documentary explores the many mysteries and questions behind this remarkable piece of music. The documentary is followed by more than two hours of filmed performances and presentations.

RCO Cinema is free to view at www.rco.org.uk/cinema

RCO Director of Studies Andrew McCrea said: “Having worked with Fugue State Films for many years we are delighted to be able to bring their exceptional films to a wider audience through RCO Cinema.

“Over the coming months and beyond we look forward to screening films that demonstrate the enormous breadth and depth of the organ’s culture and repertoire.

“But in 2025, as we look to widen engagement through our Play the Organ Year campaign, it seems absolutely right that we open with this exceptional study of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor – a much-loved piece of organ music that is arguably better known than any other.

“And to make this even more accessible to non-organists and newcomers to the instrument, we will also be releasing a curated set of extracts, plus a full performance of the piece, on our YouTube channel and our new outreach website First Stop!”

Fugue State Films was founded by Will Fraser in 2007, since when it has made dozens of films about organ and classical music, including The Genius of Cavaillé-Coll, Maximum Reger, Bach and Expression, and Messiaen’s Musical Universe. Films by Fugue State Films have won multiple awards, premiered in Hollywood, and had prime-time broadcasts nationally across the USA.

Will Fraser said: “The organ has the biggest and oldest repertoire of any instrument, and it’s also the most interesting instrument – every organ is different and each is a complex artistic marvel reflecting its era and location.

“I make films about the organ to inspire people to find out more, and what better content is there for a film than the instantly recognisable Toccata and Fugue and the fascinating story of whether Bach actually wrote it?”

Presenter Daniel Moult travelled to the town of Groningen in the Netherlands for the making of the film. He explained: “The Toccata and Fugue in D minor is one of the most dramatic pieces of music ever written, and of course it sounds brilliant on what we consider to be the best Bach organ in the world in the Martinikerk in Groningen.

“I’m thrilled that with this film we’ve not only been able to explore the fascinating story of this piece, but also produce some beautiful footage of performances on this astonishing instrument.”

RCO Cinema is free to view at www.rco.org.uk/cinema. The Great Toccata will be showing until the end of August, when it will give way to Messiaen’s Musical Universe Part 1.